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Barcelona star Lamine Yamal has expressed his desire to play at the Catalan club forever. The 17-year-old winger's popularity increased after he played a key role in Spain's victory at the 2024 Euro, garnering praises from pundits and fans alike.
After Yamal's incredible performance (one goal and four assists in seven games), Transfermarkt estimated the winger's transfer fee at €120 million. It is inevitable for multiple big European clubs to be interested in signing the winger due to his growing impact. However, the Spaniard wishes to succeed at Barca.
In an interview with Spanish TV station Antena 3's show El Hormiguero, Lamine Yamal declared that he would like to become a Barcelona legend, saying:
"I don't want those €120 million because then I would have to leave Barca. I hope I never have to leave. I want to be a legend."
Lamine Yamal has been able to hold onto his incredible form in La Liga this season, with one goal and four assists in four appearances. He was recently included in the 30-man shortlist for the 2024 men's Ballon d'Or for the first time in his career, apart from being a top contender to win the Kopa Trophy.
Due to his exceptional ball control and dribbling skills, the Spaniard is often compared to Blaugrana star Lionel Messi. At Barca, the primarily left-footed attacker is usually seen playing in the right wing, much like Messi did during most of his career.
"He passed along some of his powers to me" - Barcelona star Lamine Yamal addresses comparisons with Lionel Messi
In his aforementioned interview with El Hormiguero, Lamine Yamal recalled his iconic 2007 photoshoot with 20-year-old Lionel Messi as a baby. Yamal's father shared the rare images earlier this year on Instagram, which quickly went viral.
The images featured a young Messi bathing a baby Yamal in a bathtub, taken by photographer Joan Monfort for a Barcelona x UNICEF calendar. Addressing the viral images, Yamal joked:
"Man, he passed along some of his powers to me. I still have a lot to give."
The La Masia graduate also addressed him being compared to Lionel Messi due to their similar playing style and position, saying:
"I like that they compare me to the greatest player in the history of football, but I want to be myself. Reaching Messi's level is impossible."
Yamal has mentioned on several occasions that he idolized Barcelona legends Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr while growing up. Meanwhile, during an interview with L'Equipe in October 2023, Messi named the Blaugrana star as one of the players who could compete for the coveted Ballon d'Or in the future.
